[TR] North Cascades - Easton Glacier Kulshan 03/05/2019

[Noveric]

Trip: North Cascades - Easton Glacier

Trip Date: 03/05/2019

Trip Report:

 

Monday March 4^th, buddy and departed for Easton Glacier of Kulshan.

 

 

Starting from the sno-park trailhead at 0230 March 5th, roughly 3-4 miles from summertime trailhead, the trail had been groomed earlier that day. We cruised up the groomed path until roughly 6500’ where transitioned onto heavily tracked out trail by snowmobilers, which had rose well into the glacier.

 

The Easton had appeared to be filled in and solid as Cascade concrete allows, no shoot cracks were prevalent even around moats where snowmobiles had appeared to ride through. Rising to about 7500’-8000’, strong Northwestern winds pushed in a fat system, dropping visibility to below 20’. After a 20min break around these elevations, we decided to pull the cord and bail as conditions only worsened and could see the rest of the system moving in from around Washington/ Cascade Pass region. 

 

The ski down was great here and there, on the snowmobile tracks it was rather poor. Tons of variable snow conditions surely a result from many freeze thaw cycles and heavy traffic. Cruised on groomed trail all the way down to the car with the occasional section of skating, I would say no more than 400m at a time.

 

Overall, great conditions, smooth sailing on the ascent as well as descent, glacier roulette was very forgiving this trip, certainly will be in prime conditions after the current cycle moving through if AVI does not jump to high.

8.5 hours; 23.45 miles; 6300' ascent; 6400 descent

Gear Notes:
Ice Axe, Crampon, Ski Crampons

Approach Notes:
Smooth and fast, bring the music

Edited March 7, 2019 by Noveric
Title update, tag update